Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) refers to the overrepresentation of minority youth in the juvenile justice system. In California, as with nearly all other states, minority youth are overrepresented at various stages of the juvenile justice system such as detention and commitment. The Orange County Probation Department in conjunction with key stakeholders is committed to reducing DMC in the County. The Department has dedicated a DMC Reduction Specialist. In addition, we also:
Coordinate the DMC efforts with the DMC Ad-Hoc Committee
Utilize grant funds from the W. Haywood Burns Institute to develop programs that aim to reduce DMC
Provide training and technical assistance around DMC and cultural competency to staff and collaborative partners
Gather, analyze and distribute juvenile justice data
Conduct research on effective DMC reduction programs
For more information about DMC and DMC Subcommittee meetings please contact SPO Valerie Amezcua at Valerie.Amezcua@prob.ocgov.com or 714-935-6509.
The Orange County Probation Department participates in the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative along with its juvenile justice stakeholders. JDAI is a proven method of assigning the least restrictive community-based rehabilitative alternatives for low-risk offenders who do not pose a risk to public safety.
JDAI also addresses ethnic and racial disparities in the juvenile justice system and disproportionate minority confinement in detention facilities. Emphasis is placed on gathering and applying data in decision making. This requires a tremendous collaborative effort with the Juvenile Court, corrections, law enforcement, schools, child welfare, prosecution, legal defense, and community representatives.
Probation Department employees at the Orange County Juvenile Hall use a Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI) to evaluate offenders when they are brought to the facility to determine whether they may benefit from a lower level of intervention or need to be held in secure detention.
An executive steering committee and subcommittees oversee the work that JDAI performs. A number of initiatives were implemented in 2009 to help young offenders and increase community-based detention alternatives. These include Youth Reporting Centers and the Disproportionate Minority Contact Initiative (DMC).
Orange County's JDAI initiative is made possible through grant funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. More information about the work conducted by the foundation may be found at its web site, www.aecf.org.
To view a video on JDAI efforts nationwide, click here.
Post Release Community Supervision
The Public Safety Realignment Act of 2011 (AB 109) was signed into law on April 4, 2011. AB 109 transfers responsibility for the incarceration, treatment and supervision of specified adult felony offenders from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to counties. Implementation of the Public Safety Realignment Act began on October 1, 2011.
The act also provides that each county's local Community Corrections Partnership executive committee is responsible for creating and recommending a plan for the implementation of the 2011 Public Safety Realignment Act to its Board of Supervisors. Click here to view Orange County's 2011 Realignment Plan.
Consistent with local needs and resources, the plan includes recommendations to maximize the effective investment of criminal justice resources in evidence-based correctional sanctions and programs, including, but not limited to, day reporting centers, drug courts, residential multi-service centers, mental health treatment programs, electronic and GPS monitoring programs, victim restitution programs, counseling programs, community service programs, education programs, and work training programs. Click here to visit Criminal Justice Realignment Resource Center website.
AB 109 revises the definition of a felony to include certain crimes that are punishable in the county jail for 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years (commonly known as the Non-Non-Non's population). Serious, violent and most sex-offenses, are excluded from local commitments and will continue to be sentenced to state prison.
Most Offenders released from state prison on or after October 1, 2011 shall be subject to, for a period not to exceed 3 years, Postrelease Community Supervision provided by the Orange County Probation Department.
Postrelease Community Supervision and parole revocations of up to 180 days will be served in local jails, with the exception of paroled ‘lifers’ who have a revocation term of greater than 30 days. The Courts will hear revocations of Postrelease Community Supervision while the Board of Parole Hearings will conduct parole violation hearings in jail until July 1, 2013 when that responsibility will be moved to the local courts.
Estimates for the first year's realignment population are:
1,750 Postrelease Community Supervision (former parolees)
220 Postrelease Community Supervision violators in jail on revocations
1,464 Sentenced to local incarceration with possible supervised release (Non-Non-Non's)
The newly enacted California Public Safety Act of 2011 (AB 109) is explained as it relates to supervision of specified adult offenders by the Orange County Probation Department
A Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Documentary
Accountability Commitment Program
Accountability Commitment Program 311 West Cerritos, Bldg 1 - Anaheim, CA 92805 (714) 245-6529
Administrative Office
Probation in Orange County's Criminal Justice System
Stage
Description
Arrest
Some offenders are arrested pursuant to a warrant issued by the Courts
Some offenders are arrested and detained by Police
Some offenders are arrested by a citizen and turned over to the Police
Detention
Adult offenders may be detained in a city or county jail pending arraignment, or cited and released and instructed to appear in court for arraignment at a future date.
Juvenile offenders may be cited and released and later instructed to appear before a Probation Officer for further determination.
Juvenile offenders may be detained at Juvenile Hall pending a Court hearing.
The Probation Officer may decide to handle the matter informally.
Prosecution
The District Attorney prosecutes cases in General or Limited Jurisdiction Superior Court and Juvenile Court.
Adjudication
Adult cases are adjudicated in General Jurisdiction Superior Court or Limited Jurisdiction Superior Courts.
uvenile cases are adjudicated in the Juvenile Court.
Court Sentencing Options
The Superior Court Judge may sentence the Adult defendant to State Prison, County Jail the California Youth Authority (CYA), or some form of Alternative Confinement.
The Adult defendant may also be placed on formal probation under the supervision of the Probation Officer, or informal probation without supervision.
The Juvenile Court Judge may declare the offender a Ward of the Court and sentence him/her to the California Youth Authority, Juvenile Hall, a Local County Juvenile Facility, a Private Placement Facility, or some form of Alternative Confinement.
The Probation Officer supervises Juveniles who are declared Wards of the Court if they are not committed to CYA.
Community Corrections
Supervision of Adult or Juvenile offenders is provided by the County Probation Officer and/or a State Parole Officer.
Joplin Youth Center
Joplin Youth Center 19480 Rose Canyon Road - Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678 (949) 635-2600
Juvenile Court Work Program
The Juvenile Court Work Program was established over 30 years ago to provide the Juvenile Court in Orange County with a meaningful alternative to incarceration for certain juvenile offenders.
In lieu of serving an institutional commitment in Juvenile Hall or a juvenile camp, young men and women on the Juvenile Court Work Program literally work off their debt to society on weekends, getting plenty of sunshine and exercise in the process. Typically, a juvenile will serve 20 eight-hour days (10 weekends) on a work crew. Accommodations are made for school sports events and weekend jobs.
The Work Program is not an "easy out" for delinquent behavior. The program is very structured and the work is tough. Juvenile offenders have sometimes said they would prefer to spend 30 days in Juvenile Hall than do only 10 days on the Work Program. Juveniles who fail to complete the Work Program are returned to Juvenile Court for further sanctions - generally serving a commitment in a juvenile institution.
The youths in the program do productive work that needs to be done, never "busy work." Cities, school districts and other government agencies pay to have these crews service their property. The money raised helps to offset program costs.
The young men and women in the Juvenile Court Work Program are an average age of 15-16 years old, but they could be as young as 11, up to the age of 21. They participate on work crews of 10-12 young people.
Rules are strict. Youth are not permitted to arrive to work under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. On any weekend day, 12-15 Work Program crews can be found spread throughout Orange County. The crews might be:
Weeding the Santiago Creek riverbed, as part of wetlands restoration.
Clearing brush from hillsides adjacent to public schools to remove hazards.
Picking up debris and trash from city and county beaches, storm drains and flood channels.
Clearing weeds and debris from street medians and alleys in cities.
Packing sand bags to fortify flood control channels.
Landscaping and collecting trash at county-run regional parks.
Painting over unsightly graffiti found on public property.
Assisting schools in preparation for fire and rain seasons.
Assisting schools and cities with the complaints of local citizens.
These crews are self-sufficient, and are supplied with their own equipment and materials-tools, trash collection supplies, and transportation. Additionally, liability to the client is minimized as the crews are provided with their own worker's compensation coverage.
Government agencies needing low-cost, supervised work crews to undertake such projects can call the Juvenile Court Work Program office at (714) 935-7507.
Juvenile Hall
Juvenile Hall
331 The City Drive - Orange, CA 92868
(714) 935-6660
Lacy Juvenile Annex
Lacy Juvenile Annex
THEO LACY FACILITY
501 The City Drive, Orange, CA 92868
(714) 935-6131
Los Pinos Conservation Camp
Los Pinos Conservation Camp 39251 Ortega Highway - Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 (951) 678-2125
Orange County Juvenile Justice System
The Orange County Juvenile Justice System is comprised of representatives from the Juvenile Court, Probation Department, Public Defender and District Attorney. Part 1 highlights the role of the Public Defender and District Attorney. Part 2 highlights the role of the Probation Officer and Juvenile Court Judge. Included are tips for parents to assist in navigating the system.
Orange County Juvenile Court Part 1
Orange County Juvenile Court Part 2
OC Probation Department - Organizational Chart
ORANGE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT Colleene Preciado,Chief Probation Officer Mary McDermid , Secretary
JUVENILE INTAKE AND DETENTION BUREAU Sean Barry,Chief Deputy Probation Officer Nora Fernandez, Secretary
JUVENILE HALL - DIVISIONS I, IV & VI Keith Gotts,Director Jennifer Carlin, Secretary
Division I - Medical Liaison, DHO Liaison, DHO Liaison, Detention Ministry Liaison, VIP/VPO Liaison Sue DeLacy,Assistant Division Director
Division IV - School Liaison, CEGU Liaison Tim Todd,Assistant Division Director
Division VI - Remand Liaison Catherine Stiver,Assistant Division Director
JUVENILE HALL - DIVISIONS II, III & V David Burnham,Director Lourdes Magallan, Secretary
Division II - Safety/Inspections Coordinator, Construction/Contracts Mitch Cross,Assistant Division Director
Division III - PMI Coordinator, Institution Sports League Coordinator Stacey McCoy,Assistant Division Director
Division V - Population Control, Tour/Badge Coordinator Peggy Dames,Assistant Division Director
JUVENILE COURT DIVISION Daniel Hernandez,Division Director (MOB-5) Maria Meaney ,Secretary
Investigation, Custody and Non-Custody Intake, Diversion, Juvenile Court Officers, Juvenile Identification and Case Planning
FIELD OPERATIONS BUREAU Steve Sentman,Chief Deputy Probation Officer Karen Ziemke, Secretary
ADULT SUPERVISION DIVISION Shawn Small,Director (SAO-SL) Mary Flynn, Secretary
North, West, Central, South County Field Offices, Adult Admin., Child Support/Welfare Fraud Unit
North, West, Central, South County Field Offices, Placement, Juvenile Drug Court, Juvenile Admin
ADULT COURT DIVISION Chris Bieber,Director (SAO-SL) Melissa Lease, Secretary
Courtesy Supervision, Interstate Transfers, Investigation, County Parole, Collaborative Courts, Resident Probation Officers, Adult Intake, Adult Drug Court, PC 1210 Units
SPECIAL SUPERVISION DIVISION Darlyne Pettinicchio,Director (CCO) Celene Cardenas,Secretary
K-9 Narcotics Detection, High Control, Gang Violence Suppression, Adult Sex Offender Supervision, Domestic Violence Supervision, Supervised Electronic Confinement, Dispatch
OPERATIONS SUPPORT BUREAU Greg Ronald, Chief Deputy Probation Officer Sierra Kennedy, Secretary
LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC AFFAIRS Vicki Mathews,Manager (NCFSO)
ADMINISTRATIVE & FISCAL DIVISION Brian Wayt,Director (NCFSO) Olga Echevarria, Secretary
Visual of crime, arrests, and doors slamming at Juvenile Hall.
Escalating juvenile crime. Burglaries. Weapons. Vandalism. Drugs and alcohol. Recidivism. Gangs. Runaways. How effective are we with juvenile offenders?
Then-Orange County Chief Probation Officer Michael Schumacher, Ph.D. appears on the screen. In 2002, he is County Executive Officer. His comments:
"Every year, 13,000 juvenile arrests are brought to us by the police. A small portion of these will become serious, repeat offenders. In the past, we have only been able to identify this group after they have been through the system four or five times. Now, through years of research, we have learned how to identify these kids the very first time they are arrested. This video will show you these characteristics and what we call 'The 8% Solution.'"
Visuals depict copies of research studies done by the Orange County, (California) Probation Department.
Narration:
Years of research and multiple studies of repeat juvenile offenders conducted by the Orange County Probation Department revealed several interesting findings. 6,400 first-time offenders were studied. The good news is 70% of the offenders did not commit a second offense within three years. Twenty-two percent committed two or three offenses, and a small proportion, 8%, committed four or more offenses. These 8% were responsible for more than half of the repeat offenses committed by juveniles in Orange County.
The Orange County Probation Department committed themselves to focusing on the 8% problem and thus the 8% Solution was born.
The 8% research identified four key characteristics associated with minors age 15 years or younger at the point of their first referral to the justice system. These minors, who are "at-risk" of becoming repeat offenders, will display at least three of the four characteristics. These characteristics are:
1. They have serious problems at home in the family which, among other things, could include child abuse or neglect or a criminal family member.
2. At school, the minors have behavior problems, truancy, poor grades.
3. Drug or alcohol abuse is evident.
4. Delinquency indicators such as gang involvement, runaways or habitual stealing are apparent.
Increasingly, research on intervention and treatment programs for high-risk children and adolescents has concluded that if these efforts are to have a significant and enduring impact, the focus must be on the family, not just the child.
Visuals of Youth and Family Resource Centers serving 8% youth and their families. Scenes depict probation officers talking with minors and parents, drug abuse counselors, a nurse checking on a teenager, and youths in classroom settings and working at computers. Collaborative staff members are shown in meetings discussing cases. Youths are also shown planting trees and assisting senior citizens as samples of community service projects they perform.
Narration:
Deputy probation officers assigned to the 8% minors are partners with other public and private agencies and community volunteers. They draw on the professional knowledge, skill and experience of many treatment disciplines. Representatives from many disciplines work together to develop strategies that will strengthen family function and link potential 8% minors and their families with needed community-based resources. These links within the community are essential so that services and service providers remain constant even after "graduation" from the program.
The program staff meet weekly to coordinate services and share case planning on each 8% minor. The service delivery is at a centralized site within the community. Transportation is provided to ensure participation. These centralized sites are known as Youth and Family Resource Centers. Right now in Orange County (referring to June 1999), four resource centers are on line with two more centers to open soon.
At the Youth and Family Resource Center, many key elements are available on-site:
1. The Probation staff
2. Schooling and tutoring
3. Transportation is provided daily to school and to off-site activities.
4. Day treatment staff coordinate age-appropriate recreation, community services and life skill classes.
5. A substance abuse counselor provides services to both the youth and family.
6. Mental health and physical health care services are on-site, as well as intensive in-home family counseling.
The Youth and Family Resource Center wants to give the at-risk youth every opportunity to succeed and every reason not to re-offend by providing adequate levels of supervision, structure and support for pro-social behaviors. By providing probation officers with more options for dealing with less serious criminal or technical violations, more serious offenses may be prevented.
As 8% youth mature and are ready for vocational guidance, training and work experience, the program focus shifts to place greater emphasis on academic improvement, life skills, parenting skills, and employment.
Throughout the process, the family and minor are actively involved in helping identify and prioritize issues. The probation staff will guide this process and ensure that offender accountability and community safety are not compromised.
So, when is a minor ready to leave? The collaborative partners establish goals and expectations during the case-planning stages. These partners are crucial to the success of the 8% Solution.
Readiness to leave the program will be evaluated as academic achievement, social skills, and life skills are learned. At the same time, competencies of the parents and family members are assessed. If necessary, ways are identified to compensate for weaknesses that may still exist. This may involve seeking the support of other relatives or community mentors so those minors can move out into the community with some hope of maintaining their success.
Then-Chief Probation Officer Michael Schumacher re-appears on camera to share concluding thoughts on the 8% Solution.
The preliminary results of our program are very encouraging. We found that kids in the 8% program committed fewer and less serious crimes than their counterparts outside of the program. This was the result of research that we did comparing the 8% kids with those who are just like them, but who were supervised by probation officers in the traditional way.
Impacting crime by this group of teenagers is very important. History has shown us that these are the kids that become the serious repeat chronic offenders. Please join us in implementing the 8% Solution. Together, we can make a difference!
The logo of a support group to the Orange County Probation Department called the Probation Community Action Association is displayed and that organization is credited for underwriting the cost of producing this video.
Volunteer In Probation
Make a difference
Gain valuable experience working with juvenile and adult offenders.
The Orange County Probation Department is one of the most respected Criminal Justice agencies
in the state of California for utilizing state-of-the-art research and programming in its work with offenders.
The Grand Avenue Office is located south of 1st Street and north of McFadden Avenue. Enter the parking on the north side of the building. Parking is free. The doors will close at 7:00 p.m. Please be prompt.
Please use North Entrance
Youth Guidance Center
Youth Guidance Center
3030 N. Hesperian St. - Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 935-7127
Youth Leadership Academy
Youth Leadership Academy
3155 W. Justice Center Way
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 935-7099
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